Fort Worth Stock Show 2008

January 21, 2009

As the recent eco-friendly fervor spreads _ with cloth shopping bags, energy-efficient light bulbs and a cry for shorter showers _ one has to wonder if it's not just John Deere green seen at the Stock Show this year.

While there isn't a green focus, one exhibit _ Farm Bureau's Planet Agriculture _ is lined with information on eco-friendly farming techniques and educational materials about alternative energy.

From Texas forest conservation to understanding biodiesel, the displays, which are sponsored by TXU Energy, are full of information about the industry's environmental concerns.

One wind energy display let visitors pump wind into a model city, which enacted turbines and in turn, provided light to the city.

Despite the exhibit's prior appearances at the Stock Show, visitors said it has more relevance now, because energy conservation has been a hot topic lately.

Nancy Fortune, a North Richland Hills resident who visited the exhibit with her son, said it was informative and interactive. She said she believes in the cause and thinks environmental education is important.

"We have one world," Fortune said. "We better take care of it before we lose it."- Bailey Shiffler

February 03, 2008

We had weather, animals (some cute, some stinky), food, rodeo, exhibits (remember the tie dye hoodies), Stock Show crud (sniff) and lots of other things that we can't really mention or put in the print product.

Just go through the pages of the blog and see what several volunteer reporters, editors, photographers and correspondents of the Star-Telegram saw in 24 wonderful days of pure Fort Worth fun at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

The last day of fun is here at last. Although I'm a bit tired and in need of a day off, I'll kind of miss this place. Mostly, we'll miss friends we've met along the way.Upon arrival, I'm greeted by a smiling face working in general admissions. On weekends, that would be Patsy Lytle. We exchange pleasantries twice per day, on the way in and on the way out. Lytle, an accountant during the week, is also looking forward to a day off. She will probably spend next weekend enjoying one of her other hobbies such as vintage cars or race horses. The next greeting likely is from the beer guy, Don Wagnon, working in the John Justin Arena. And just like with Lytle, Wagnon always welcomes with a cheery, “Good morning Susan” and “Have a nice evening, see ya tomorrow” when I leave.Wagnon, a manufacturer planner for Lockheed Martin during the week, said he will spend next weekend “getting off my feet.” Wagnon will also get back to working on motorcycles and getting his son Derek ready for the races. I will miss seeing Michael Childers (left), an event staffer, holding down the fort in the horse stall area. Wearing an ear-to-ear grin he often asks “Well, hello Susie, can I buy you a cup of hot cocoa today?” as I rush through the area on my way to the media center. Childers’ birthday is today. He is 60-years-old, full of life and “fit as a fiddle.” Semi-retired, Childers travels from west to east in search of enlightenment. He sings, tells fun stories of yesteryear and always has a good quote of the day for me. Today’s advice is, “We never know what the day will bring. We need to always be ready for the challenge.”When I head to the exhibits hall, I make it a point to see Paul Matson, over at Custom Caps. He works for Collin Loesch, owner of the biz. Custom Caps has been an exhibitor at the Stock Show for 21 years. Matson’s plan of what to do after this event is perhaps the best I have heard. “I am heading straight to the watering hole,” he said with a grin. And last but certainly not least, I will miss my friends in the media center, Deb Zihlman and Sharla Rainer, a.k.a. godsends for the pressroom. They are friendly, fashionable and fun to hang with. They make sure our every need is met, from fresh coffee in the mornings, (and afternoons, and evenings), to keeping the room full of other diet-naughty items such as donuts and fried pies. They also make sure we have fresh fruit each day, to help us feel less guilty about all of the corny dogs we consume. Williams will go back to doing volunteer work. Rainer will head straight for jury duty tomorrow. Goodbye my dear friends! See ya

next year!

-- Susan Tallant

P.S. from the editor: It's been a long 24-day run. Thanks to all the Star-Telegram staffers and correspondents who volunteered to work throughout the show. Above's shot is the (semi) regular Sunday Crew: Back row from left: Deb Zihlman, Amanda Rogers, Liz Zavala; second row, Sharla Rainer, Susan Tallant. Front, Jill Johnson.

February 02, 2008

As you can see, 7-month-old Skeeter likes to be held on his back and be cuddled. Erin keeps him in her room and is litter training him.

Skeeter is not the grand champion of today’s show but he comes from a good bloodline so Erin has high hopes for him. His ancestry comes from Berry Sweet Bunnies, owned by the Bergs family from Rowlett.

The Bergs sell and show Lionhead rabbits. Deb Bergs said her rabbits took Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Breed this year. Lionhead rabbits have an incredible mane on their head due to a genetic mutation.

There are certain places and moments during the three week run of the Stock Show where all the sights, sounds and smells of the event come together to create a symphony for the senses.

One such time and place is the area just behind the W.R. Watt Arena during the Junior Steer Show.

Try to image this scene: Winning exhibitors are tugging at the halters of recalcitrant steers, trying to guide them from the show ring and into the brightly-lit area set aside for their official photographs.

As a steer stands in the glare of the lights, on the green shavings used to simulate grass, a photographer’s assistant stands just out of the shot and moos at the animal in hopes he will lift up his head and perk up his ears for a better picture.

Just a few yards from the photo op, steers are being caught in a catch chute where they are branded on the jaw with an “F” to indicate they will be sold. This fills the air in this cozy area with thin smoke and the unique aroma of seared hair and cowhide.

And since the steers don’t particularly like having a hot branding iron applied to their jaws, their offended bawling echoes loudly through the tight space.

As you try to get to your human interview subjects, you are jostled by their lumbering bovines and it is impossible not to marvel at their size, strength and the velvet-like softness of their impeccably groomed hair.

It is also hard not to take a step you immediately regret -- especially since the odor should have warned you.

Such is the sensory overload the Stock Show can throw at you. And if you’re into it, there is no painting that can better lift the heart and no music that can better touch the soul.